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HB 3097

SCH CD-FAFSA COMPLETION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Diane Blair-Sherlock and 18 co-sponsors

Illinois public high schools must provide in-school time and support to complete FAFSA or state aid applications starting 2025-2026.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0014
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Bill Summary · HB 3097

Summary — HB 3097 (Public Act 104-0014) — SCH CD-FAFSA COMPLETION

Status: Enacted (Public Act 104-0014) — Governor approved 2025-06-30; Effective 2025-06-30
Statute amended: 105 ILCS 5/22-87 (School Code)
Introduced: 2025-02-20; Companion: SB 1494

Purpose / Intent

To strengthen school-supported completion of financial aid applications (FAFSA or applicable state aid forms) by requiring Illinois public high schools to provide time and assistance — including the opportunity during the school day — for students to complete their portion of financial aid applications. The change is intended to increase FAFSA/state aid application completion and reduce barriers for postsecondary aid access.

Key provisions

  • Existing requirement (since 2020-21): As a prerequisite for a public high school diploma, a student (or parent/guardian when applicable) must either:
    1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an applicable State financial aid application; or
    2. File a State Board of Education–created waiver indicating understanding of FAFSA/state aid and choosing not to file.
  • New/clarified requirement (effective for the 2025–2026 school year):
    • School districts must provide appropriate support to educate students about, and assist with completion of, the FAFSA or state aid application.
    • That support must include providing time during the school day (without requiring the student to be excused from regularly scheduled class time) for students to complete or receive help completing their portion of the application.
    • Support may be offered in multiple formats, times, and settings; students may choose whether to use it.
    • High schools may request assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) — including application-completion events and individual help — at no cost to the high school.
  • Diploma exceptions: A district must award a diploma to a student unable to meet the FAFSA/waiver requirement due to extenuating circumstances if (i) the student met all other graduation requirements and (ii) the principal attests the district made a good-faith effort to assist in filing an application or waiver.
  • The State Board of Education may adopt implementing rules.

Who is affected

  • Public high school students in Illinois and, where applicable, their parents/guardians.
  • School districts and high school administrators (responsible for providing support/time and documenting efforts).
  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission (as a potential technical assistance partner).

Implementation timeline & procedural notes

  • Support requirement starts with the 2025–2026 school year.
  • Law takes effect upon becoming law (6/30/2025).
  • Legislative history includes committee consideration, amendments clarifying in-school time provisions, passage by both houses, and multiple co-sponsors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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